Microsoft is signaling a shift in how Microsoft approaches Windows, with leadership saying 2026 will be about fixing what frustrates users. In a statement shared with The Verge, Windows and Devices president Pavan Davuluri described the next steps as a push to rebuild trust.
The renewed messaging follows months of complaints about Windows 11 quality and day-to-day friction. Microsoft has been dealing with bugs and updates that caused unusual breakage, alongside ongoing criticism of nags, ads, and prompts across the OS experience. The Verge reports the company is redirecting engineers to “swarm” problem areas, aiming to stabilize performance and reliability before pushing more new features.
The feedback we’re receiving from our community of passionate customers and Windows Insiders has been clear. We need to improve Windows in ways that are meaningful for people,
This year you will see us focus on addressing pain points we hear consistently from customers: improving system performance, reliability, and the overall experience of Windows.
Trust is earned over time and we are committed to building it back with the Windows community,
— Pavan Davuluri, President of Windows and Devices, Microsoft
A key part of the reset is AI, where some of the loudest backlash has centered on features like Windows Recall and the spread of Copilot buttons into basic apps. Windows Central says Microsoft is reevaluating how AI shows up in Windows 11, with Copilot integrations in apps like Notepad and Microsoft Paint under review and work on adding more Copilot buttons paused for now. The company views Recall in its current implementation as having failed, and is exploring how to evolve the concept, potentially even dropping the name.
The consumer pushback is landing while investors are also questioning the payoff of Microsoft’s broader AI strategy. On January 29, 2026, Windows Central reported the stock fell 5.37% on the day and was down close to 14% for January, describing the move as erasing about $440 billion in market value and linking the slide to growing skepticism around AI execution.
Source: The Verge, Windows Central, VideoCard